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US 2003/0191526 A1Published application
Barrier device for ostium of left atrial appendage
AssigneeAtritech, Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Van Tassel, Robert G. Hauser
Life of this patent
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AssigneeAtritech, Inc.
InventorsRobert A. Van Tassel, Robert G. Hauser
Estimating the term…
A membrane applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage for blocking blood from entering the atrial appendage which can form blood clots therein is disclosed. The membrane also prevents blood clots in the atrial appendage from escaping therefrom and entering the blood stream which can result in a blocked blood vessel, leading to strokes and heart attacks. The membranes are percutaneously installed in patients experiencing atrial fibrillations and other heart conditions where thrombosis may form in the atrial appendages. A variety of means for securing the membranes in place are disclosed. The membranes may be held in place over the ostium of the atrial appendage or fill the inside of the atrial appendage. The means for holding the membranes in place over the ostium of the atrial appendages include prongs, stents, anchors with tethers or springs, disks with tethers or springs, umbrellas, spiral springs filling the atrial appendages, and adhesives. After the membrane is in place a filler substance may be added inside the atrial appendage to reduce the volume, help seal the membrane against the ostium or clot the blood in the atrial appendage. The membranes may have anticoagulants to help prevent thrombosis. The membranes be porous such that endothelial cells cover the membrane presenting a living membrane wall to prevent thrombosis. The membranes may have means to center the membranes over the ostium. Sensors may be attached to the membrane to provide information about the patient.
A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream comprising:
A method of preventing atrial appendage thrombus from entering the blood stream as in claim further comprising:
A membrane for blocking an atrial appendage ostium comprising:
A method of obstructing openings in the body of a patient comprising:
A membrane for obstructing openings in the body of a patient comprising:
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.
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From the US filing history. Foreign family members aren’t listed.
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For ligaturing or otherwise compressing tubular parts of the body, e.g. blood vessels or umbilical cord: occluding by internal devices, e.g.…
Surgical instruments, devices or methods: implements for plugging an opening in the wall of a hollow or tubular organ, e.g. for sealing a vessel…
Characterised by the location of the occluder: within the heart
Occluding by internal devices, e.g. balloons or releasable wires: characterised by the type of occluding device
Term end not estimated
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to a membrane or plug structure applied to the ostium of an atrial appendage for preventing blood flow and physical connection between an atrium of the heart and the associated atrial appendage or appendages to isolate an atrial appendage and prevent thrombus leaving therefrom.
2. Description of the Related Art
FIG. 1 is a partial cross sectional view of a heart showing a catheter entering the left atrial appendage using a retrograde procedure from the aorta.
FIG. 2 is a partial cross sectional view of a heart showing a catheter entering the left atrial appendage using a transeptal procedure from the femoral vein or superior vena cava.
FIG. 3 is a partial cross sectional view of a heart showing a catheter entering the right atrial appendage from the jugular vein or optionally from the femoral vein.
Although atrial fibrillation results in pooling of blood in the left atrial appendage and the majority of use of the invention is anticipated to be for the left atrial appendage the invention may also be used on the right atrial appendage and in general for any aperture in the body which needs to be blocked to prevent blood from flowing therethrough or therefrom.
As shown in FIG. 4 a thrombus 30 may occur from pooling of blood in the left atrial appendage 13 due to poor circulation of blood therein when the patient experiences atrial fibrillation. To prevent thrombus 30 from forming in the left atrial appendage 13 or to prevent thrombosis formed therein from leaving and entering the blood stream which may cause a heart attack, a stroke or ischemia, a membrane 40 is placed across the ostium 20 of the atrial appendage 13. The membrane 40 can be made of Teflon®, felt, Dacron®, silicone urethane, Gortex®, metal fibers or biocompatible polymers.
The membrane 40 may be a porous membrane. Porous membranes may consist of a biocompatible polymer which is porous, having pore sizes ranging from 20-100 microns. The pores may also be larger or smaller in rare cases. The membrane may also be a porous metal or a metal mesh of fine fibers which permit ingrowth of cells and covering with endothelial cells. The membrane may be coated with anticoagulant, or elute the anticoagulant.